If you cannot obtain health insurance as a result of a pre-existing medical condition, or qualify as a “Federally Eligible” individual, you may be able to purchase insurance through the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool.

If you have insurance through your employer and leave the company, a federal law allows you to continue your insurance coverage through your former employer for up to 18 months, although you will have to pay the entire premium. Get more information about COBRA continuation of coverage.

Government Programs

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers those age 65 and older, as well as disabled individuals. Supplemental insurance may be purchased to help offset the costs not covered by Medicare. These resources will help you learn more about Medicare coverage:

Medicare Personal Plan Finder - Allows you to identify and compare Medicare health plans that are available in your area. (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

Medicaid provides access to health care for qualified low-income pregnant women and children as well as people who are elderly or who have a disability. Applications for Medicaid and other services for low-income families are taken at local Medicaid offices, or may be made online. Call the toll-free Texas Medicaid Hotline at 800/252-8263 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for assistance, or visit the Texas Medicaid Web. Additional information is available here.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program provides coverage for children whose family income exceeds the amount to qualify for Medicaid but do not earn enough to buy private health insurance. Families pay premiums and share the cost of services based on their income for doctor visits, prescription drugs and emergency care. To find out more, call toll-free 800/647-6558 or visit the CHIP Web site. Additional information is available here.

Resources are available to help individuals find coverage if they cannot obtain it from their employer. In addition, public programs are available to help those unable to afford to buy private insurance coverage.

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Resources for Businesses

Texas has several options to help employers provide health insurance coverage to their workers:Small Businesses

Charity Care

If you cannot afford to purchase insurance and do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP, you may be eligible to receive free care under a hospital’s charity care policy. These resources may assist you:

Hospitals across the state are experiencing an influx of patients with flu; in some cases, going on “medical divert” to transfer patients to other facilities because they are at capacity. Flu season...

The Texas Hospital Association often publishes white papers on issues affecting Texas hospitals and the health care of Texans.

Texas Medicaid in Perspective: Texas Medicaid, operated in partnership with the federal government, serves primarily low-income pregnant women and children but also individuals with disabilities and older adults. Learn More

2017 Texas Hospitals’ Policy Priorities: Hospitals also are required by federal law to provide, at a minimum, a medical screening to anyone who seeks it and to provide stabilization and treatment services for an emergency medical condition, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Learn more

Hospital Financing Overview: This document is intended to provide a high-level overview of the hospital financing system in Texas and the challenges that exist – challenges that threaten hospitals’ continued ability to provide the highest quality care for all Texans. Learn More

1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver: Learn how the Transformation Waiver is making health care in Texas more effective and efficient and why renewal is so important for Texas hospitals. Learn more

Contact Info

The Texas Hospital Association would like to hear from both its members and from the public for whom Texan hospitals and health systems work to keep healthy.